The 23-year-old Italian caps a historic year with his first ATP finals title, becoming the first player since 1986 to win the tournament without dropping a set.
Jannik Sinner, the world number one, made history on Sunday by becoming the first Italian to win the prestigious ATP Finals title in Turin, where he secured a commanding straight-set victory over American Taylor Fritz. With a 6-4, 6-4 win, Sinner concluded a spectacular season, claiming his 70th win of the year and becoming the first player since Ivan Lendl in 1986 to win the tournament without dropping a set.
In front of an electrified home crowd, the 23-year-old Sinner lifted the trophy to rapturous applause, marking his first ATP Finals title and further solidifying his position as one of the sport’s rising stars. This victory adds to an already impressive 2024 season in which Sinner claimed his first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and the US Open.
“It’s amazing – it’s my first title in Italy and it means so much to me,” Sinner said after the match, his voice filled with emotion. “It was a very high-level tournament from my side. At times I couldn’t have played better, so I am very happy.”
The final was played in a pulsating atmosphere, with fans in Turin roaring in support of their home favourite. Sinner did not disappoint, delivering a clinical performance. From the outset, the Italian looked in complete control, dropping just one point across his opening three service games. He managed to break Fritz’s serve in the seventh game with a delicate drop shot, delighting the crowd.
Throughout the match, Sinner’s relentless baseline play and pinpoint serving kept Fritz on the defensive. The Italian fired 16 winners and 10 aces in the first set alone. Despite Fritz’s valiant effort, particularly in the second set where he managed to stave off one break point, the American struggled to find a breakthrough. A single service break in the fifth game of the second set was enough for Sinner to cruise to victory.
For Fritz, who reached the US Open final earlier this year only to lose to Sinner in straight sets, it was a bittersweet conclusion to his season. “It’s been a really good week for me,” said Fritz, who will rise to a career-high ranking of world number four on Monday. “It’s a good way to end the year and gives me a lot of confidence. I have a good idea of what I need to improve, but I also feel like I’m playing very good tennis.”
The ATP Finals win caps off a year of remarkable consistency for Sinner, who has won 26 of his last 27 matches. His only defeat during this impressive run came at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz in the China Open final. This level of dominance, combined with his Grand Slam successes, has firmly established Sinner as the player to watch in 2025.
However, Sinner’s remarkable season has not been without controversy. The 23-year-old has been embroiled in a doping investigation that has cast a shadow over his future in the sport. Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Sinner has maintained his focus, producing some of the best tennis of his career.
Sunday’s victory was not just a personal triumph for Sinner but also a historic moment for Italian tennis. The ATP Finals, which feature the top eight singles players and doubles teams of the season, will remain in Italy until at least 2030, although discussions are ongoing about whether Turin will continue to host the event beyond next year.
Earlier in the day, the doubles final saw German duo Tim Pütz and Kevin Krawietz pull off a thrilling upset against top seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Jean-Julien Rojer, winning 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6) to claim their first ATP Finals title.
As the curtain falls on the 2024 tennis season, Sinner’s dominant performance in Turin sets the stage for what promises to be an even more exciting 2025. With his confidence at an all-time high and the Italian fans firmly behind him, Sinner is poised to continue his ascent in the tennis world, where new rivalries and challenges await.
